Indochina refugees and what JACL could do to help

Vol. 80, No. 21, May 30, 1975. 4 pages. View this issue

Indochina refugees were the subject of this four-page issue, and Japanese Americans were asked to see their own history in the arrivals. National president Shig Sugiyama drew a parallel to the wartime incarceration and urged Americans to welcome the refugees. David Ushio asked what Nikkei had at stake in U.S. foreign policy, while Harry K. Honda described his visit to Camp Pendleton and Stan Kiyokawa told of Portland JACL members meeting 140 Vietnamese at Mt. Angel. Ed Mitoma shared impressions from New York.

Other pages carry news of a used clothing drive for the refugees, a second summer charter flight to Japan, and a march of up to 20,000 people in New York’s Chinatown. Bill Hosokawa wrote about the gap between English idioms and their translations. Pacific Southwest JACL delegates met, Jerry Enomoto spoke after becoming California’s corrections director, and ethnic studies protests reached several California campuses.

What’s in this issue

Commentary

• Nikkei and U.S. Foreign Policy, by David Ushio, page 1. Ushio argues that Japanese Americans, made vulnerable by anti-Asian sentiment and U.S.-Japan relations, need JACL to research and advocate a national position on Far East foreign policy. He says JACL has access to decision makers but has been reactive rather than proactive on such issues.
• Tokyo Rose transcript, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Lorraine Lynes, who monitored Tokyo Rose broadcasts for the Office of War Information, submitted a transcript to researcher Tony Montenari examining the treason conviction of Iva D’Aquino. The material is being used to seek to set aside the conviction.
• Feature on religion, by Mack Yamaguchi, page 2. A reader letter urges the paper to feature spiritual reflections from various faiths, recalling a story of an Issei mother whose daughter was ashamed of her. The letter concludes with the daughter realizing her ingratitude.
• Getting to know the refugees, by Stan Kiyokawa, page 2. Thirteen Portland JACL members visited Mt. Angel’s refugee center housing 140 Vietnamese and describe overcoming their initial apprehension. They conclude that the community must be educated to build support for the refugees.
• Nat’l Dialogue: International issues, by David Ushio, page 2. Ushio raises questions about Japan’s future foreign policy and military posture and their implications for Japanese Americans. He urges JACL leadership to debate and formulate basic policy rather than merely react.
• Editor’s Notebook: What JACL chapters and members can do to assist the refugees, by Harry K. Honda, page 2. Editor Harry Honda reflects on his visit to Camp Pendleton and urges JACL chapters and members to help resettle Indochina refugees. He describes the camp conditions and the volunteer agencies involved.
• California must do more, by P.C. Staff, page 2. An editorial urges California to take a larger role in resettling Indochina refugees. The piece calls on state leaders to commit more resources to the effort.
• Special report: New York refugee impressions, by Ed Mitoma, page 2. South Bay JACL member Ed Mitoma writes that public hysteria can rapidly change government policy, recalling the wartime evacuation. He calls for vigilance against repeating past injustices toward Asian Americans.
• Language gap, by Bill Hosokawa, page 3. Hosokawa’s Frying Pan column recounts readers’ questions about English idioms and terms encountered in a book, and how translations often fail to convey meaning. The piece highlights the difficulty of explaining American slang to Issei and young readers.

Incarceration & Redress

• JACL commends Ford’s support of Vietnam refugees, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The JACL praised President Ford’s support for resettling Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees in the United States. National president Shig Sugiyama drew a parallel to the wartime incarceration and urged Americans to welcome the refugees with compassion.

Community

• Asian Americans urged to contribute used clothing for Indochina refugees, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Buddhist Churches of America clergy visited refugees at Camp Pendleton and arranged a used clothing drive at temples to meet urgent needs. Donations were to be collected locally and shipped via San Diego Buddhist Temple.
• Enomoto speaks up for predecessor, by P.C. Staff, page 1. New California Corrections director Jerry Enomoto praised his predecessor Raymond Procunier and criticized legislative delays in confirming appointments. He spoke at a Nisei Voters League dinner where he received its first Public Service Award.
• PSWDC freely allocates $3,000, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The Pacific Southwest JACL District Council allocated funds at its quarterly session and took a series of actions on refugee aid, asbestos-tainted talc, and scholarship policy. Delegates also reviewed legislation on medical coverage for atomic bomb survivors.
• Fresno area Nisei fire chief being fired, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Fire Chief Henry Tanaka of North Central Fire Protection District was given an ultimatum to retire or be fired as his district merges with Fig Garden. He is seeking legal advice on his retirement pay.
• 20,000 parade in N.Y. Chinatown for civil rights, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Up to 20,000 Chinatown residents and workers marched in New York to demand action after the arrest of Peter Yew, whom witnesses said was beaten by police. Demands included dismissal of charges and an end to discrimination in employment and services.
• Asian Americans mistaken for illegal aliens working in Hawaii tourist trade, by P.C. Staff, page 1. U.S. immigration officers questioned Asian American airport tourism workers in Honolulu after anonymous tips about illegal aliens. Officials said the checks followed citizen complaints and that people may decline to answer unless entering the country.
• Another charter flight added, by P.C. Staff, page 1. The National JACL Travel Committee added a second summer charter flight to Japan on its 1975 schedule. Seats are reserved through JACL-authorized agents, chapters, or National Headquarters.
• Five win books for PC survey participation, by P.C. Staff, page 1. Five participants in the Pacific Citizen readership survey won copies of Jack Matsuoka’s book Camp II, Block 211. PC Board chairman Al Hatate announced the winners.
• Ethnic studies in Calif. colleges at touchy point, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Minority student protests erupted at several California campuses over ethnic studies programs, including UCLA, Cal Poly Pomona, Claremont Colleges, and UC Santa Barbara. Students objected to administrative control and cuts to Asian American and Chicano programs.
• Moscone bill for bilingual-bicultural education in Calif. passes first step, by P.C. Staff, page 3. State Senator George Moscone’s bill establishing a bilingual-bicultural education program cleared the legislature’s first step. The measure prioritizes K-3 programs and sets accountability standards for effectiveness.
• D.C. JACL forming cultural heritage resource file, by P.C. Staff, page 3. The Washington, D.C. JACL is compiling a file of people with talents or interests in Japanese cultural heritage for events. Topics include music, food, crafts, clothing, and narratives.
• Dr. Frank Sakamoto appointed Optometry Board Examiner, by P.C. Staff, page 3. Chicago JACL leader Dr. Frank Sakamoto was appointed by Illinois Governor Dan Walker as an Optometry Board Examiner. He is a past Chicago JACL president and Midwest District governor.

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